Jerold W. Apps, né et élevé dans une ferme du Wisconsin, est Professeur Émérite à l'Université du Wisconsin-Madison et auteur de plus de 30 livres, se concentrant souvent sur l'histoire rurale et la vie à la campagne. Ses ouvrages de non-fiction explorent l'essence de la vie à la ferme, capturant des souvenirs du passé et célébrant les traditions rurales. À travers ses romans et ses livres pour enfants, il aborde également des thèmes tels que la famille, le patrimoine et la beauté de la campagne.
On Farms and Rural Communities is an exploration of the past, present and future importance of our rural communities, which are often overlooked in our national discourse. The author examines a host of issues, including agriculture, land use, population shifts and other socio-economic factors to argue that we must restore rural communities to the status they once held and deserve to be held again.
The story follows Bill Steiner, a farm boy and recent university student, as he seeks extra income for his upcoming school year. He takes a position at a pea cannery, where he faces challenges managing a small team, including an alcoholic worker who reacts violently when Bill confiscates his liquor. This tense situation highlights themes of responsibility and the struggles of youth as Bill navigates the complexities of work and personal safety.
Set in the 1950s, a 16-year-old named Billy Steiner grapples with post-high school decisions amid the expectations of adults. His quest for clarity leads him to the enigmatic Wild Oak, rumored to grant glimpses into the future. As he unravels the mystery of the tree, he seeks to understand his potential paths in life, blending themes of self-discovery and the influence of small-town dynamics.
"This is the story of the logging era in Wisconsin, of lumberjacks and camp cooks, of log drives and log jams, of sawmills and lumber barons and the echo of the ax in the Northwoods as yet another white pine tree fell to the ground. Jerry also walks readers through the aftermath of the logging era, including efforts to farm the cutover, reforestation work, and the legacy of the state's lumber and wood products industry"-- Provided by publisher
Focusing on Wisconsin's cheese-making heritage, this book captures the voices of farmers, milk haulers, and producers, tracing the evolution from farmhouse kitchens to a diverse industry. Jerry Apps highlights the changes over the past two decades, including the influence of corporate megafarms and the rise of artisanal cheese makers. With historical photographs and portraits of family-operated factories, the narrative emphasizes the balance of art and science in creating various cheese flavors, celebrating the farmers and producers who have shaped this thriving industry.
“Apps is a man of ideas who is sensitive to the touch, the smells, and the feel of doing things by hand, today and a hundred years ago.”—from the foreword by Senator Gaylord NelsonOriginally published in 1970, The Land Still Lives is the first book by Wisconsin’s greatest rural philosopher, Jerry Apps. Written when he was still a young agriculture professor at the University of Wisconsin, The Land Still Lives was readers’ first introduction to Jerry’s farm in central Wisconsin, called Roshara, and the surrounding community of Skunk’s Hollow. This special 50th-anniversary edition features a new epilogue, in which Jerry revisits his philosophy of caring for the land so it in turn will care for us. This is vintage Apps, essential reading for Jerry’s legions of fans—and for all who, like Jerry, wish “to develop a relationship with nature and all its mystery and wonder.”
The narrative centers on the transformative impact of modernization in agriculture during Jerry Apps's childhood, highlighting the shift from traditional farming methods to the introduction of electric lines, modern machinery, and running water. Through his mother’s account books, Apps reflects on both the economic and emotional aspects of these changes, capturing family values and the sociological evolution of farm life. The poignant moments, especially regarding his father's pride and the transition from milking cows to academic pursuits, resonate with both older generations and contemporary farmers facing new challenges.
Unexpectedly embarking on a teaching career, Jerry Apps reflects on his thirty-eight years at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, detailing the challenges and transformations he faced from 1957 to 1995. Amidst campus protests and the complexities of academia, he developed a unique educational philosophy emphasizing critical thinking and experiential learning. Rich with personal anecdotes, vibrant characters, and historical insights, this memoir offers a heartfelt glimpse into the life of a professor who never intended to be one.
The narrative captures the essence of rural life through vivid memories from the author's childhood on a Wisconsin dairy farm during the 1930s and 1950s. It evokes the beauty of nature with descriptions of starlit nights, fragrant wildflowers, and the sounds of the countryside. Each story reflects the changing seasons and includes life lessons intertwined with personal anecdotes, such as enjoying pancakes after chores and learning to ride a pony. Enhanced by monthly recipes and a new introduction in this edition, it offers a warm and humorous celebration of country living.
Through a series of reflective essays, the author explores the significance of everyday farm life, focusing on simple objects like a cedar fencepost and a kerosene lantern. Each item evokes memories from his rural upbringing in the 1940s and 1950s, revealing the invaluable skills and values learned on a family farm. The collection serves as a heartfelt tribute to those who experienced this lifestyle and offers insight for those unfamiliar with it, highlighting the enduring impact of these rural roots.